Celtic Cup (2018 rugby union tournament)
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Current season or competition: 2019–20 Celtic Cup | |
 | |
| Sport | Rugby union |
|---|---|
| Instituted | 2018 |
| Inaugural season | 2018 |
| Ceased | 2020 |
| Number of teams | 8 |
| Nations |  Ireland Wales |
| Holders | Leinster A (2019-20) |
| Most titles | Leinster A (2 titles) |
| Related competition | Pro14 |
The Celtic Cup was a rugby union cup competition featuring development regional and provincial teams from Ireland and Wales that began in 2018.[1]
Following the withdrawal of English clubs from, and the subsequent demise of, the British and Irish Cup in 2018, the Irish Rugby Football Union and the Welsh Rugby Union agreed to create a new development competition, the Celtic Cup, for the emerging professional players from the four Irish provinces and four Welsh regions in 2018. The name had been used previously between 2003 and 2005 for a short lived single elimination knockout competition between teams in the then Celtic League.
The tournament featured development squads from Pro14 teams Connacht, Leinster, Munster, Ulster, Cardiff Blues, the Dragons, the Ospreys and the Scarlets. It aimed to provide a learning environment for players, coaches and referees by recreating the week-to-week challenges presented by senior professional rugby.[2]